Canada
Latin America – The New Frontier of iGaming
It’s been four years since Colombia became the first country in Latin America to establish a local licensing regime for online gaming, unlocking the potential of an entire continent. Since then, several countries in the region have followed suit while others are still exploring the possibility to regulate igaming.
As the trailblazer in the region, Colombia has done an excellent job of creating a market where licensed operators are allowed to thrive. Players have access to a wide product offering, including both sports betting and online casino games, and are safeguarded by sound player protection measures. The challenge for any regulated jurisdiction is to strike that balance between establishing attractive market conditions while introducing necessary regulatory measures that are not too stringent or cumbersome to scare away operators and content suppliers. It goes without saying that to have a well-regulated market, you need to appeal to operators targeting the country while offering players the products they desire in order to keep the black market to a minimum and ensure maximum protection of consumers.
Colombia’s success also lies in the approach of its gaming regulator, Coljuegos, to engage with industry stakeholders and respond to their concerns. A perfect example is its recent quick response to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 outbreak when the regulator introduced a series of measures to help steer the gaming industry through the crisis. No regulation is perfect, however, and in Colombia, the requirement for operators to store data locally has proved challenging. Nevertheless, the market’s legislation sets a benchmark for other countries in Latin America looking to regulate internet gambling.
Greentube entered the Colombian market in 2019 and we have been quick to gain market share, now partnering with four operators in the country and seeing great interest in our content. For Greentube, it has been a learning curve, having experience in multiple European markets, and entering a completely new region that differs in many ways. Most importantly for us, players in Colombia have a preference for table games and video bingo in addition to the traditional slot games which are popular in most European markets. The bulk of our content portfolio in Europe is based on our classic titles, known from land-based venues, and fruit games. Yet in Colombia, although iconic slots like Sizzling Hot deluxe, Lucky Lady’s Charm deluxe, and Apollo – God of the Sun are part of the favourites, other games like Royal Crown Roulette, Royal Crown Blackjack, and 1-2-3 Bingo are topping the list.
After making a strong entrance in Colombia, we were thrilled to also have launched in Paraguay this spring with local operator Il Palazzo. Being on the doorstep of Argentina and Brazil, the region’s two biggest economies, the market offers huge potential for growth both within the country and beyond its borders. Our land-based content has for many years proven successful with local players and so we expect our online adaptions will be equally popular. Paraguay is an important step in our South American strategy, and we are looking forward to expanding our business there as a means for further international growth.
Greentube is also keeping a close eye on the developments in several other countries in Latin America where discussions around regulating online casino gaming are taking place. Our next pending market entry is Mexico where we have struck a deal with the leading local operator. Greentube’s strategy is to operate only in regulated markets, which ensures we act in a legal and compliant matter but moreover, gives us an advantage when establishing new partnerships. As most major operators choose to be active only in legal markets, they prefer to cooperate with suppliers that also comply with the regulation. Equally important before entering any market is the growth potential; the strategic fit of our product and the availability of established distribution channels and platform providers. From our experience and based on the popularity of our games in the region’s land-based casino segments, we believe that Latin America has the potential to become one of our core regions and we continue to explore every opportunity with great excitement.
Written by: Markus Antl – Head of Sales and Key Account Management at Greentube
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BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.
Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.
To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.
The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.
Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.
“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”
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AGCO
AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).
Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.
A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTE
“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:
- 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
- 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.
Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:
| a) | On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15. |
| b) | On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”. |
| c) | On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”. |
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BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
The post BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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